Perceptions Seeking Consciousness: A Developmental Model for Interpreting the Origins of Reality

Abstract

A repertoire of developmental capacities facilitates the infant's understanding of reality, including: categorization, amodal perception, effectance motivation, attachment behavior, primary and secondary processes. A newly described developmental phenomenon—previewing is the strategy by which the caregiver introduces the infant to upcoming developmental skill and the interpersonal implications this skill will have for the dyadic relationship. Through previewing, the infant comes to understand that seemingly uncontrollable developmental changes as well as changes in subjective perception can be mastered. Because it is derived from early life experience, previewing may also contribute to our understanding of perceptions of adults. This paper discusses the developmental proclivities that characterize the perception of reality.